Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to scrap the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, claiming it has shut young Canadians out of the job market.
Poilievre argued the program allows corporations to hire low-wage labour instead of local workers, pointing to companies like Tim Hortons and Booster Juice as examples.
Data from Ottawa shows nearly 34,000 new visas were issued in the first half of 2025, with another 70,000 renewals.
Industry groups warn that eliminating the program would worsen labour shortages in rural communities and critical sectors like agriculture and hospitality.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the program will stay in place but is under review.